It's poll time 😊 This week it's about your age when you started in Arb 🌳

[David Humphries]

Started on a horticultural apprenticeship at 16 in 1985 then the great storm in ‘87 changed my direction into arboricultural, 35 years later I’m still working on and around the same trees, although in a more finger pointing capacity. Nearly finished my apprenticeship 😁

Edited December 8, 2022 by David Humphries

[Patrick goulding]

First time I went and did a days work was when the school sent you on work experience I did that for a week or however how long it was. I did that with my old man and then as no sooner as I left school I went as a groundie which led on to do more courses and climbing trees. I’m now 34 Let’s just say my path was all ready layed. I really fancied being a game keeper with me having other interests but couldn’t find a job in it so trees 🌲 it was 😆 

Edited December 8, 2022 by Patrick goulding

[KateH]

On 07/12/2022 at 16:54, htb said:

38 when I started 61 now and still climbing.

That's impressive! Thanks for sharing, Kate

[KateH]

On 08/12/2022 at 06:56, Patrick goulding said:

First time I went and did a days work was when the school sent you on work experience I did that for a week or however how long it was. I did that with my old man and then as no sooner as I left school I went as a groundie which led on to do more courses and climbing trees. I’m now 34 Let’s just say my path was all ready layed. I really fancied being a game keeper with me having other interests but couldn’t find a job in it so trees 🌲 it was 😆 

Thanks for this Patrick, happy climbing, Kate

[KateH]

On 08/12/2022 at 05:06, David Humphries said:

Started on a horticultural apprenticeship at 16 in 1985 then the great storm in ‘87 changed my direction into arboricultural, 35 years later I’m still working on and around the same trees, although in a more finger pointing capacity. Nearly finished my apprenticeship 😁

That's fascinating. Are you the same David who's into mycology? If so I've send you a private message on Arbtalk and would love a brief chat. If not thanks for answering anyway! Kate 

[KateH]

On 07/12/2022 at 17:32, maybelateron said:

Started at 41, now 63 and still climbing. Only because usually climbing is easier work than dragging brash uphill🤣

Brilliant, I love the reasoning. Happy climbing! Kate

[KateH]

On 07/12/2022 at 19:08, Dionysus said:

Was 17 going on 70, feel younger now at 33 than I did then.

That's great to hear - thanks for joining in! Kate

[KateH]

On 07/12/2022 at 19:50, devon TWiG said:

I went to Merrist Wood at 24  for a one year course from 85-86 , did a bit before then , but there was not really much of an Arb industry then !!  by today's standards anyway.. still do a bit , climb most weeks still and have my own woods to play in 🙂

Thank you - having your own wood sounds amazing! Kate

[KateH]

On 07/12/2022 at 21:56, Stephen Blair said:

Grew up helping my dad do firewood and getting sent up trees to tie a big rope on for the tractor.  Made my first coin at 14 pruning a big cherry tree for an old guy called Mr Grant, he just pointed and that’s where I cut. Did my felling ticket at 19, mucked about on garden small trees until I was 22 then bought my first harness and spikes and went from there teaching myself in the woods around my shack.  Word got about I was the lad who cut trees, got my first job that year for a tree surgeon, lasted 5 weeks as he was an idiot, then got a start as a climber for a better company and that was it, 6 months there on the dead elms then started myself in 1999.  Finally did my climbing tickets in 2008.  Still on the saw and climbing when I can’t get the young ninja subby out.  But prefer sitting in a machine now.47 now.

Thanks for such a considered reply. Out of interest did you fnd that getting your tickets changed anything about how you worked or the sort of work you won? 😊Kate

[KateH]

On 07/12/2022 at 22:33, gand said:

Started hedge laying at about 12 at a local scout camp. Got the bug for trees etc. Started working and getting formal training at 16. Got climbing tickets at 18, and retired from arb work at 38. I now stand behind a counter flogging chainsaws and climbing gear, talking shite about jobs gone by. Generally complaining about how much my body aches now I've stopped climbing and getting fat. So retired life's not treating me to bad.

Thanks for your reply. Kate